Children are from Heaven

Rating:
Summary: A Celebration of Family
Review: Anyone looking to celebrate family and children will love this book. Like the book, THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE, this great book contains many timely insights about children and the joy they bring.

Rating:
Summary: bad advice
Review: As a counsellor, I have long admired and respected John Gray for his vast and learned knowledge and for his ability as a writer. "Children Are from Heaven" is a beautiful concept. Grey reinforces the power of positive attitudes in the role of parenting. He bases his philosophy on the concepts it is okay to be different(we are all unique individuals,) okay to make mistakes(we learn from our mistakes,) it is okay to express negative emotion (children also have negative feelings,) it is okay to want more(wanting more, incourages children to dream, achieve and reach for the stars,) and it is okay to say,"no" but remember Mom and/or Dad are still the boss (children will test limits, both yours and theirs.)

The book contains very accurate and positive information; however, Gray's concept about raising children with a positive attitude is nothing new in our modern-day world. What is extremely disheartening is the fact not all parents understand the importance of, nor do they implement, a nurturing and positive environment for their children. The approach taken here is similar to many found in other professionally written parenting books, except the author has chosen different words and his own unique writing style to relay the concept. I expected to find an expanded version or a new theory in Gray's book but that did not happen. For this reason, the book received a rating of four stars and not five. Regardless of what words are used, the book still contains a valuable message, and it is certainly worth reading...no matter how many times you may have read or heard the message before.

Rating:
Summary: THE POWER OF POSITIVE PARENTING!
Review: As a counsellor, I have long admired and respected John Gray for his vast and learned knowledge and for his ability as a writer. "Children Are from Heaven" is a beautiful concept. Grey reinforces the power of positive attitudes in the role of parenting. He bases his philosophy on the concepts it is okay to be different(we are all unique individuals,) okay to make mistakes(we learn from our mistakes,) it is okay to express negative emotion (children also have negative feelings,) it is okay to want more(wanting more, incourages children to dream, achieve and reach for the stars,) and it is okay to say,"no" but remember Mom and/or Dad are still the boss (children will test limits, both yours and theirs.)

The book contains very accurate and positive information; however, Gray's concept about raising children with a positive attitude is nothing new in our modern-day world. What is extremely disheartening is the fact not all parents understand the importance of, nor do they implement, a nurturing and positive environment for their children. The approach taken here is similar to many found in other professionally written parenting books, except the author has chosen different words and his own unique writing style to relay the concept. I expected to find an expanded version or a new theory in Gray's book but that did not happen. For this reason, the book received a rating of four stars and not five. Regardless of what words are used, the book still contains a valuable message, and it is certainly worth reading...no matter how many times you may have read or heard the message before.

Rating:
Summary: Insightfull therapy for reader and target population
Review: As I read along, I began to understand and get, many of the missing pieces I needed as a child growing up, post war. Thanks John

Rating:
Summary: So what's new?
Review: Common sense, but hard pressed to find anything new and enlightening. I was suspicious about the author's over emphasis on the parents being the "boss" all the time. And I was even more suspicious why the author left out common ideas about parents investigating their own childhoods and their issues from childhood being resolved, unresolved, or still in denial about. Or, to put it another way, what negative or shadow parts of parents are likely to be put onto their children. A very simplistic book with no guts and void of suggesting current parents deal with their painful past. No wonder he is popular with a society in massive denial and addiction.

Rating:
Summary: John Gray is brilliant once again!!!
Review: Dr. Gray offers guidelines and advice that makes sense. The information is helpful and seems to validate my gut feeling on most of his suggestions.Just as with the Mars Venus advice for adults in relationships,dating, starting over, getting in touch with feelings, or learning how to get what you want, Children Are From Heaven simply stated makes sense!

Rating:
Summary: Discipline While Keeping The Dignity of Parent & Child
Review: Gray shares a welcome sensible perspective on raising children of all ages that keeps the parents in complete charge while encouraging the parents to respect and understand the kid's feelings. That does not mean the kids always or even usually get their way. My older children (9, 12 and 15) have told me during our calmer more rational discussions, outside the heat of the moment, that they like the change is MY behavior and they feel more like I'm on their side rather than the enemy on their backs screaming, insulting, and punishing like I used to. The younger kids (4 and 6) also seem to cooperate more when I acknowlege their feelings and then clearly state and stick to the boundaries. We are by no means wimpy parents with our 5 kids; however, we have become more aware of separately addresing feelings from behavior. I find myself much calmer and listening a lot more than I used to. The amazing thing is that my husband and I have stopped much of the yelling, threatening, and searching for an even harsher punishment that wasn't really working anyway. Another book that really is very compatible with Gray's thoughts is called "The Pocket Parent". It has hundreds of suggestions to try with your 2-5 year old, focusing on most of the annoying behaviors that often drive even the best parent to the edge of their sanity. I highly recommend both books that specifically teach you how to change your behavior first inorder to get more cooperation from the kids.

Rating:
Summary: This book is wonderful!
Review: I absolutely loved this book and I'm reading it for the second time. I can't believe how much more confident I am in dealing with my 4 year old daughter. We are so much closer and happier. Just read it, apply the principles and see for yourself how wonderful it is. You can't go wrong with this one. I've recommeded it to all my friends and they're having good results as well. It's great!

Rating:
Summary: A few good ideas in too many words
Review: I agree with other reviewers that there are a few good ideas, but many too many words. Lots of repetition. Nothing really specific and nothing really new. He even uses the concept of Positive Parenting like he invented the term, which has been used by Jane Nelson for years. There are many other better, more concise and more specific books out there.

Rating:
Summary: Good advice....hidden in 350 pages of poor editing.
Review: I am a huge fan of John Gray's. His books on adult relationships are wonderful. This one confuses me - it's not up to his standards. There are good points made, but the book is a chore to read. Also some conflicting advice throughout. I wish he'd re-think this and re-write it. In the meantime, if you want a good book on positive parenting try one of these: Positive Discipline, Kid Cooperation, The Discipline Book, Perfect Parenting.